I have a light cough, it hurts to swallow, and a little runny nose. I keep looking at my throat, and don't see anything. I need to know if I need to go to the doctor or not.

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Dr. Muhammad Majid Hanif

{{returnGlobalDate('2016-12-30T09:20:15-0800')}}

Welcome to Curely-my virtual clinic. I have thoroughly reviewed your health query and can well understand how worrisome this throat issue can be. I know you are also bothered by mild cough and runny nose.
It is usually the viral infection of upper respiratory tract and you may or may not feel fever too with it. It is all usual course of disease and can last for 7-10 days. We don't recommend taking antibiotics just to start with as that is not needed at all for viral issues.
What you have to do is take ACETAMINOPHEN 500 mg (Tylenol available over the counter) twice a day for relief from inflammation and pain in body or throat. If you feel fever and confirm it on thermometer to be around 100-101 degrees Fahrenheit, you should take Tylenol every 4 hourly until there is no fever. Plus you have to do gargles with lukewarm water (add salt in it). Do gargles plenty if times a day. Take proper rest & keep a judicious supply of water. This will help you get better soon. Good amount of protein in diet and vegetable will be beneficial for fast recovery.
So my answer is its not urgent to go for medical help until you try this conservative management at home. If in 72hours you don't feel any betterment, this will be a time for further investigations like throat swab test and blood work if needed. It is because sometimes viral infection gets converted to (superimposed by) bacterial infection. And you need antibiotics at that point to get this infections knocked out.
If at any point you feel uncomfortable, you can get a reassuring visit with your primary care Physician right away instead of waiting. If you feel excess cough, you may take over the counter available allergy tablet a cough syrup. On your next regular visit to your Primary Care Physician discuss about Flu shots to keep you safe for the season.
Hope it helps. Please feel free to contact me back anytime if you need further assistance. I will be happy to help.
Regards!

Q.Additional questions

Consult me back if you have any doubts/further queries. I will be happy to assist. Wish you best of the new year and a lot of happinesses.

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b75***

{{returnGlobalDate('2016-12-30T10:13:02-0800')}}

I was afraid and have come to the doctor already. Usually i never lose my voice like this...or experience this type of pain in all my adult life. I shall inform you what he says!

Dr. Muhammad Majid Hanif

{{returnGlobalDate('2016-12-30T10:22:16-0800')}}

Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate tour follow ups on your health issues. Voice issues are due to viral infection of your Larynx ( the voice box and epiglottis are involved. Epiglottis is the lid on the air pipe). Pain is also due to this severe but acute infection.
This is all manageable. I will be looking forward to hear from you about progress on the issue. You may consult me for anything, and anytime. I will be happy to assist.
Regards!

Q.Additional questions

Feel free to ask follow up queries anytime!

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b75***

{{returnGlobalDate('2016-12-30T10:45:40-0800')}}

I have strep throat. I am now getting fluids, antibiotics.

Dr. Muhammad Majid Hanif

{{returnGlobalDate('2016-12-30T13:40:52-0800')}}

Thanks for the follow up details. Now as it is established that you have got Streptococcal infection, it's mandatory to keep fluid and electrolytes balance in range. Intravenous administration of fluid is best choice for that. Antibiotics are mandatory too to combat against the pathogens. Hope you will get very well soon. Feel free to ask for more suggestions if you have any queries. I will be happy to assist.
Regards!

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b75***

{{returnGlobalDate('2016-12-30T13:44:38-0800')}}

Hi! Thank you, i want to take probiotics. These are the probiotics I will take (image). Do antibiotics and probiotics need to be 12 hours apart?
does a 5-day z pac sound okay to you? Is this normal for strep? I nevwr had it before.
Also, i was given prednisone, what will it do??

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b75***

{{returnGlobalDate('2016-12-30T13:45:37-0800')}}

I forgot the image! See it attached!!

Dr. Muhammad Majid Hanif

{{returnGlobalDate('2016-12-30T14:01:17-0800')}}

Thanks for writing again.
Actually probiotics are alive microorganisms that are helpful in many ways. Better to keep them separate and yes taking antibiotics & probiotics 12 hours apart is practically a good option.
Yes Z Pac prescribed by your Physician is good option and it covers the pathogens under discussion.
Prednisone is a steroid and it helps fasten the recovery by alleviating inflammation. It fastens recovery. Keep taking prednisone as prescribed.
Ask me for more queries whenever needed.
Regards!

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b75***

{{returnGlobalDate('2016-12-30T14:03:29-0800')}}

When you say prednisone fastens recovery, do you mean it makes recovery quicker/faster? I am not familair with the word fastens. Thank you

Dr. Muhammad Majid Hanif

{{returnGlobalDate('2016-12-30T14:06:27-0800')}}

Thanks for writing back.
Sorry for inconvenience. Yes it makes the recovery process quicker through multiple and complex processes. Simply its good to have it along with antibiotics as prescribed.
Regards!

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b75***

{{returnGlobalDate('2017-01-01T12:46:01-0800')}}

Thank you for being available. I am on the third day of treatment now. I have regular cough. Cough starts light, then I cough up mucos/phlegm - at morning phlegm is brown, then white, finally clear. Does this sound like I am healing or is there more to worry about?
My throat is better except mornings it doesnt feel the best, but all swallowing pain is now gone.

Dr. Muhammad Majid Hanif

{{returnGlobalDate('2017-01-02T04:34:23-0800')}}

Thanks for the follow up. Yes, all of the symptoms show that you are getting better now. Add more water, vegetables, fruits and salads in diet. Add gargles in routine for faster recovery. All other treatments modalities look fine.
Feel free to contact me back if needed for this health issue. I will be happy to het back to you in no time.
Regards!

Dr. Muhammad Majid Hanif

{{returnGlobalDate('2017-01-03T12:23:58-0800')}}

Hi there!
Hope everything is going better out there. Wanted to know how you feel now and what about your voice?? Is it getting better with time ??
Regards!

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b75***

{{returnGlobalDate('2017-01-03T12:30:43-0800')}}

Hi! Thank you for checking in I really appreciate it! So far I am MUCH better. The only troubling symptom is my stuffy and runny nose. I blow my nose very often. Today is the last day for antibiotics and prednisone.
I used the neti pot, but still I have a runny nose. I gargled with salt water but I still have a runny nose. It IS less runny, but I am still stuffy.

Dr. Muhammad Majid Hanif

{{returnGlobalDate('2017-01-03T12:36:26-0800')}}

You are always welcomed!
The runny nose is better for you though. It is all the stuff coming out of the sinuses around the nose. This is good to keep running until its over at its own. I am sure antibiotics have worked well to stop the infection. Keep taking plenty of fluids and diet rich in fruits, vegetables and salads. Keep taking multivitamins once a day (after breakfast) for a couple of weeks only. It will help in convalescence period.
I am pretty sure you are almost ok and out of the infectious phase.
Hope it helps. Please feel free to ask me if you have further queries. I will be happy to assist. If asked, please give a feedback to let me know how we are performing.
Regards!